Randy Phillips, a retired teacher from Oneida City School District and the assistant manager of education programs at the Oneida Indian Nation, led fourth graders in a day of learning about Iroquois Indians during a recent Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program event.
“The students came prepared to learn and demonstrated strong knowledge,” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program Coordinator Deborah Schoff said. “They brought their energy and excitement as they engaged in discussions, group activities and crafts that helped develop a deeper understanding of the Iroquois people, their culture, customs and history.”
The “Iroquois Indians” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program event took place on March 10 at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center in Herkimer. Fourth graders from Central Valley, Dolgeville, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley participated.
“Phillips shared a tremendous collection of native artifacts that helped students connect to the learning,” Schoff said. “They explored and practiced parts of the Oneida language. They also viewed and discussed native-produced animations that showcased lessons taught to children, focusing on the moral of the story.”
Phillips and the Oneida Indian Nation put together gift bags for each participant containing educational materials and their fifth book, “Feathers and Fur: Three Haudenosaunee Animal Tales.”
“Randy is an outstanding educator,” Schoff said. “His knowledge and ability to engage and connect with the students created an amazing learning experience. Our students were fortunate to have experienced this program and enjoyed Mr. Phillips’ lessons and activities.”
